€8m Upgrade Complete as the Portloman Water Treatment Plant Safeguards Mullingar’s Drinking Water Supply

Information below is relevant until further updates are provided here or on our Supply and Service Updates section.

Upgrade works at the newly revamped Portloman Water Treatment Plant are now complete, improving water quality across Mullingar, as well as enhancing the water supply to homes and businesses for 63,000 people.

The €8m project underwent various critical upgrades to the drinking water supply in Mullingar, Co Westmeath. The Portloman Water Treatment Plant upgrade now provides a more reliable water supply for existing homes and businesses. Located on the shores of Lough Owel, the plant supplies the town and surrounding areas with drinking water and utilises a membrane ultrafiltration technology as the main treatment process.

The investment included replacing these membrane filters and optimising of the treatment process. A major energy efficiency upgrade was also included as part of the project by the installation of solar PV and high performing energy efficient pumps. This ensures the delivery of a clean, safe drinking water source and improves the drinking water quality for Mullingar.

Speaking about the project John McElwaine, Programme Manager with Uisce Éireann said: “We are delighted with the success of the upgrade at the Portloman Water Treatment Plant. This project is of vital importance for residents and businesses in Mullingar and the surrounding areas. This treatment plant utilises unique membrane ultrafiltration technology as the main water treatment process. The completion of these works now safeguards the water supply in Mullingar presently and into the future.”

John added “These works will also result in a major reduction in the energy consumed at the treatment plant with the installation of solar panels and energy efficient pumps. This will lead to significant reductions in the energy consumption over the coming years. We would like to thank the local community for their support and co-operation as we carried out this vital work."

Uisce Éireann is committed to sustainable, eco-friendly infrastructure. The Portloman Water Treatment Plant upgrade demonstrates our dedication to energy efficiency and biodiversity. We installed 160kW solar panels, reducing carbon emissions by 39 tonnes annually, and energy-efficient pumps, saving 21 tonnes each year. Furthermore, we’ve reused the sludge dewatering centrifuge at another site in a sustainable way to the benefit of the public and environment, while our wildflower landscaping enhances the natural environment.

The works were carried out by Murphy Process Engineering on behalf of Uisce Éireann. For further information on the project, please visit the dedicated local project page.

Uisce Éireann is responsible for the delivery of all public water and wastewater services in Ireland. We are committed to continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support growth in our economy, while protecting the environment and safeguarding water supplies.